Who We Are
Dennis Tanton:
Hello my name is Dennis Tanton. My wife and I married at a young age. I guess you can say that we raised one another. Eva got in to church long before I did. I can remember back how I used to hard time her and give her trouble for going. At one point the old car that we had was without a hood, and if it even looked like it was going to rain the car would spit and sputter...but one night Eva was determined to go to a revival meeting and drove the vehicle in the rain, and never once had a moments trouble.
When I finally gave in and started going to church, we became really involved and were willing to do whatever was needed. We taught Sunday School, drove the church bus, helped with the youth, led choir, cleaned bathrooms...etc. My wife even decided she wanted to try and sing. The first time she ever got up to sing, my youngest son and nephew fell off the pew laughing....but she never gave up.
Although I cannot speak for Eva, because her heart was already set on the Lord, I can say that tragedy drew me closer to the Lord. Our twelve year old nephew was out on a hunting trip, and was accidently shot and killed by a stray bullet that went through the cab of the truck he was sitting in. Though we could not understand it, and still may never know why, that incident brought our entire family to their knees and caused us to call on the Lord.
It was not until a little later when my pastor cornered me one night and asked me about my relationship with the Lord, that I realized where I really was, and where so many people are today. You see, I had become so involved in doing for the church, that I really did not have time for a personal relationship with the Lord. Yes I was there every time the door was opened, yes I did whatever the Pastor or church needed me to do, and yes I knew who Jesus was....BUT, that is all...I was church saved! I could not truly say that I had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I had never spent the time in prayer or in the Word to truly come to know Him...but when my pastor really put me to the test and asked me that question, it changed my heart and gave me the desire to know Him.
In early 1997 is when we first come to know Buddy and Candace. We all started attending church together, and even tried to sing together some. A couple of weeks after we started getting to know them, Candy's mother died all of a sudden. Our relationship from there grew as we recognized how God had put us all together. (Buddy has become my very best friend, and Candy is the daughter that my wife an I always wanted as we were blessed with two boys) After a little time passed we began to work together to form the group, Vessels of Clay. Sheila came a long a little later and joined us. We started off just singing in our home church and after a little time we were being invited to other churches.
After the first five or six years together as a group, the Lord began to deal with me about sharing His Word through more than just singing, so we continued on singing and preaching. In 2004 everything seemed as if it would fall apart. Business and family issues arose, Buddy's job ended and he and Candy decided to try and take jobs in Mississippi. Although we missed them, Eva, Sheila and I continued on. We tried to stay in contact with Buddy and Candy without much luck...until early 2005 when we began to get reports that Buddy's health had gotten really bad. (See his testimony for more) By the time we were able to get in touch with them, Buddy had been in the hospital several times, had several surgeries, and was in kidney failure. One day in one of our church services the Lord allowed the spirit of intercessory prayer to come over me for Buddy and Candy. After that it seemed the Lord had began to turn things around. Buddy and Candy decided it was time to come home, made things right with the Lord, and then come back to the ministry. However, it was not until the end of 2005 when Buddy was called for his transplant, that the Lord really showed us just how much we all needed each other , and how he had brought us together. At one point during the month and a half that Buddy was in the hospital, and the doctor's had done all that they could figure to do...during a phone conversation with Buddy, I really felt in my heart that Buddy was going to die. He had given up hope it seemed, and even in my own heart, I could not see how to pray. I thought I was really going to lose my best friend. But Praise the Lord, Buddy wrestled with the Lord one night and God brought him through with an awesome testimony. The ministry has not been the same since. The Lord has blessed and caused each of us to draw closer to Him. He has opened doors and allowed us to see lives touched, saved, healed and delivered. We are looking to see greater things as we continue down the path that we know the Lord has called us to.
One of my new favorite songs is called: "I'll Not Turn My Back On Him Now". It says...(I'll not turn my back on Him now, He's given to me everything I have, He gave me my first breath, and I'll give Him my last, I'll not turn my back on Him now.) This is truly one of my prayers and hopes...that the Lord will keep us in His will and that we will keep our hearts fixed on Him even until the last breath! God Bless!
Eva Tanton:
Hello my name is Eva Tanton. As you have probably already read, Brother Dennis is my husband...and yes we married at a very young age, and as he put it...we raised each other!
To tell you a little bit more about where the Lord has brought me from...I was born the youngest of twelve children (six boys and six girls). My mother was a God fearing woman, so I was taken to church, but did not come to know the Lord until later in life. I never received much education, (Never learned to read or write) because our family all had to work from an early age in order to help meet the need.
After Brother Dennis and I met and married, we too had to work to make ends meet and be able to survive on our own. Within the first couple years of our marriage we had our first son and a few years later our second. It was later when our boys were a little older that I came to know the Lord. I started attending church regularly, and even went in spite of grumbling from my husband. It was after I started going to church that the Lord gave me a desire to read His Word. (but of course..I had never learned to read)...but as I desired, and made efforts too and strove to seek Him, He opened my eyes and my understanding, and I eventually learned how to read the Bible, and even begin to write some. After several years of constant rantings, Brother Dennis also started going to church. Together we really gave our all, and spent endless hours at work for the church. Brother Dennis was asked to lead the choir, and I was asked to teach the young children in Sunday School. At first I was really hesitant, because of my background (lack of knowledge and reading ability), but I gave in and found just what a blessing it was, because it put me in a position where I had to study, and had to work to show myself approved. I can truly say that it was during this time, and through the help of my husband and a loving pastor that I truly began to grow in the Lord and gather His Word unto my heart. It was also around this time that a desire to sing came over me. I begin to practice and made some attempts to sing. The first time I ever got up in front of the church, my nephew and youngest son fell off of the pew laughing at me...I could not really hear the music or hold in tune with the music, so of course even though I tried, it was funny to them. Thanks to the Lord, I never gave up.
Shortly after that incident, my family faced a life altering experience...the death of our twelve year old nephew in a hunting accident. Though it was a hard and trying time to go through, the Lord used it to draw many of my family members in and closer to the Lord as they sought comfort and refuge.
After the death of our nephew, things at one point in my life took a very different turn. A spirit of depression took hold. It got so bad that I could not even stay by myself at times and my husband was afraid to leave me alone. He would often find me curled up in a corner. I couldn't eat, I couldn't sleep, couldn't drive. I lived in fear and torment even to the point of desiring to die. This torment lasted through a period of about five years. I aged to look as if I was eighty or ninety years old, and weighed only 89 pounds. However, through the help of my husband, some good christian friends, and most of the Lord and His Word...He brought me out. I begin to change the atmosphere in our home, playing only uplifting gospel music. I read over and over and stood upon Psalms 91 and many other scriptures concerning God's provision and promises...I even begin to put my name in the areas that applied. Friends, let me tell you...the promises of God's Word are true, and will manifest in your life if you commit your life into His hands! No psychiatrist, no other friend, no doctor, not even my husband or children, could have done what the Lord has done in my life!...And PRAISE GOD...he can still do the same today for any one of you!
After that things turned around, my husband and I started our own business, and begin to prosper. We moved to another town, and started at another church, where we met Buddy and Candy, eventually Sheila. We all began to sing together and formed Vessels of Clay, and have been singing and later preaching even until today.
There are so many other stories that we could all share, many ups and downs, falls and bruises. Some are even shared in some of the other biographies on the site...and though some of the stories may vary they have all made us who we are in the Lord and we all can say that God is good. He has never failed to carry us through, even when we could not help ourselves. All that we have committed to Him, He has kept. I praise Him for where He has brought me from, and look forward to the purpose He has for us to continue in. It is my desire to be a witness of the love of Christ, and share His truth with a lost and dying world, so that others may find the same hope that the Lord gave me. God Bless!
We are sorry to let everyone know that the Stephens family; Buddy, Candy, Hailey and Hannah are no longer traveling with Vessels of Clay. After 13 years they felt that for family reasons they needed to come off the field. We pray the best for them.
Hello my name is Dennis Tanton. My wife and I married at a young age. I guess you can say that we raised one another. Eva got in to church long before I did. I can remember back how I used to hard time her and give her trouble for going. At one point the old car that we had was without a hood, and if it even looked like it was going to rain the car would spit and sputter...but one night Eva was determined to go to a revival meeting and drove the vehicle in the rain, and never once had a moments trouble.When I finally gave in and started going to church, we became really involved and were willing to do whatever was needed. We taught Sunday School, drove the church bus, helped with the youth, led choir, cleaned bathrooms...etc. My wife even decided she wanted to try and sing. The first time she ever got up to sing, my youngest son and nephew fell off the pew laughing....but she never gave up.
Although I cannot speak for Eva, because her heart was already set on the Lord, I can say that tragedy drew me closer to the Lord. Our twelve year old nephew was out on a hunting trip, and was accidently shot and killed by a stray bullet that went through the cab of the truck he was sitting in. Though we could not understand it, and still may never know why, that incident brought our entire family to their knees and caused us to call on the Lord.
It was not until a little later when my pastor cornered me one night and asked me about my relationship with the Lord, that I realized where I really was, and where so many people are today. You see, I had become so involved in doing for the church, that I really did not have time for a personal relationship with the Lord. Yes I was there every time the door was opened, yes I did whatever the Pastor or church needed me to do, and yes I knew who Jesus was....BUT, that is all...I was church saved! I could not truly say that I had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I had never spent the time in prayer or in the Word to truly come to know Him...but when my pastor really put me to the test and asked me that question, it changed my heart and gave me the desire to know Him.
In early 1997 is when we first come to know Buddy and Candace. We all started attending church together, and even tried to sing together some. A couple of weeks after we started getting to know them, Candy's mother died all of a sudden. Our relationship from there grew as we recognized how God had put us all together. (Buddy has become my very best friend, and Candy is the daughter that my wife an I always wanted as we were blessed with two boys) After a little time passed we began to work together to form the group, Vessels of Clay. Sheila came a long a little later and joined us. We started off just singing in our home church and after a little time we were being invited to other churches.
After the first five or six years together as a group, the Lord began to deal with me about sharing His Word through more than just singing, so we continued on singing and preaching. In 2004 everything seemed as if it would fall apart. Business and family issues arose, Buddy's job ended and he and Candy decided to try and take jobs in Mississippi. Although we missed them, Eva, Sheila and I continued on. We tried to stay in contact with Buddy and Candy without much luck...until early 2005 when we began to get reports that Buddy's health had gotten really bad. (See his testimony for more) By the time we were able to get in touch with them, Buddy had been in the hospital several times, had several surgeries, and was in kidney failure. One day in one of our church services the Lord allowed the spirit of intercessory prayer to come over me for Buddy and Candy. After that it seemed the Lord had began to turn things around. Buddy and Candy decided it was time to come home, made things right with the Lord, and then come back to the ministry. However, it was not until the end of 2005 when Buddy was called for his transplant, that the Lord really showed us just how much we all needed each other , and how he had brought us together. At one point during the month and a half that Buddy was in the hospital, and the doctor's had done all that they could figure to do...during a phone conversation with Buddy, I really felt in my heart that Buddy was going to die. He had given up hope it seemed, and even in my own heart, I could not see how to pray. I thought I was really going to lose my best friend. But Praise the Lord, Buddy wrestled with the Lord one night and God brought him through with an awesome testimony. The ministry has not been the same since. The Lord has blessed and caused each of us to draw closer to Him. He has opened doors and allowed us to see lives touched, saved, healed and delivered. We are looking to see greater things as we continue down the path that we know the Lord has called us to.
One of my new favorite songs is called: "I'll Not Turn My Back On Him Now". It says...(I'll not turn my back on Him now, He's given to me everything I have, He gave me my first breath, and I'll give Him my last, I'll not turn my back on Him now.) This is truly one of my prayers and hopes...that the Lord will keep us in His will and that we will keep our hearts fixed on Him even until the last breath! God Bless!
Eva Tanton:
Hello my name is Eva Tanton. As you have probably already read, Brother Dennis is my husband...and yes we married at a very young age, and as he put it...we raised each other!To tell you a little bit more about where the Lord has brought me from...I was born the youngest of twelve children (six boys and six girls). My mother was a God fearing woman, so I was taken to church, but did not come to know the Lord until later in life. I never received much education, (Never learned to read or write) because our family all had to work from an early age in order to help meet the need.
After Brother Dennis and I met and married, we too had to work to make ends meet and be able to survive on our own. Within the first couple years of our marriage we had our first son and a few years later our second. It was later when our boys were a little older that I came to know the Lord. I started attending church regularly, and even went in spite of grumbling from my husband. It was after I started going to church that the Lord gave me a desire to read His Word. (but of course..I had never learned to read)...but as I desired, and made efforts too and strove to seek Him, He opened my eyes and my understanding, and I eventually learned how to read the Bible, and even begin to write some. After several years of constant rantings, Brother Dennis also started going to church. Together we really gave our all, and spent endless hours at work for the church. Brother Dennis was asked to lead the choir, and I was asked to teach the young children in Sunday School. At first I was really hesitant, because of my background (lack of knowledge and reading ability), but I gave in and found just what a blessing it was, because it put me in a position where I had to study, and had to work to show myself approved. I can truly say that it was during this time, and through the help of my husband and a loving pastor that I truly began to grow in the Lord and gather His Word unto my heart. It was also around this time that a desire to sing came over me. I begin to practice and made some attempts to sing. The first time I ever got up in front of the church, my nephew and youngest son fell off of the pew laughing at me...I could not really hear the music or hold in tune with the music, so of course even though I tried, it was funny to them. Thanks to the Lord, I never gave up.
Shortly after that incident, my family faced a life altering experience...the death of our twelve year old nephew in a hunting accident. Though it was a hard and trying time to go through, the Lord used it to draw many of my family members in and closer to the Lord as they sought comfort and refuge.
After the death of our nephew, things at one point in my life took a very different turn. A spirit of depression took hold. It got so bad that I could not even stay by myself at times and my husband was afraid to leave me alone. He would often find me curled up in a corner. I couldn't eat, I couldn't sleep, couldn't drive. I lived in fear and torment even to the point of desiring to die. This torment lasted through a period of about five years. I aged to look as if I was eighty or ninety years old, and weighed only 89 pounds. However, through the help of my husband, some good christian friends, and most of the Lord and His Word...He brought me out. I begin to change the atmosphere in our home, playing only uplifting gospel music. I read over and over and stood upon Psalms 91 and many other scriptures concerning God's provision and promises...I even begin to put my name in the areas that applied. Friends, let me tell you...the promises of God's Word are true, and will manifest in your life if you commit your life into His hands! No psychiatrist, no other friend, no doctor, not even my husband or children, could have done what the Lord has done in my life!...And PRAISE GOD...he can still do the same today for any one of you!
After that things turned around, my husband and I started our own business, and begin to prosper. We moved to another town, and started at another church, where we met Buddy and Candy, eventually Sheila. We all began to sing together and formed Vessels of Clay, and have been singing and later preaching even until today.
There are so many other stories that we could all share, many ups and downs, falls and bruises. Some are even shared in some of the other biographies on the site...and though some of the stories may vary they have all made us who we are in the Lord and we all can say that God is good. He has never failed to carry us through, even when we could not help ourselves. All that we have committed to Him, He has kept. I praise Him for where He has brought me from, and look forward to the purpose He has for us to continue in. It is my desire to be a witness of the love of Christ, and share His truth with a lost and dying world, so that others may find the same hope that the Lord gave me. God Bless!
The Stephens Family
We are sorry to let everyone know that the Stephens family; Buddy, Candy, Hailey and Hannah are no longer traveling with Vessels of Clay. After 13 years they felt that for family reasons they needed to come off the field. We pray the best for them.
